What is it with Scottish Dealers

[Deleted account 210516001]

Look at this offer from another part of the site.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2247038#post2247038

What is it with Scottish dealers that they don't feel they have to fight for our custom. Is it because there is little competition or are we just too willing to roll over and pay whatever is asked despite the recession?

 

[Lugs]

Too busy weeding and calling their lawyers?

 

[Deleted acc oony]

Too busy weeding and calling their lawyers?

 

[Jazbee]

I had my bike in at Clark's Dundee for its 12k service, new tourances and a new rear disk a few months back. They quoted me about 25% less than Clark's Aberdeen which is nearer to me AND they collected and brought it back clean, about a 90 mile round trip The service manager is very helpful and knows the bikes inside out. I would say that was a decent level of service to me?

 

[garfield]

Look at this offer from another part of the site.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2247038#post2247038

What is it with Scottish dealers that they don't feel they have to fight for our custom. Is it because there is little competition or are we just too willing to roll over and pay whatever is asked despite the recession?

but why would you roll over, there's a whole country of BMW dealers out there (and other brands for that matter), why not take your business elsewhere/shop around if you're not happy....

 

[Blackal]

Sounds like Cannons are struggling.

If they didn't have to drop their prices, you can guarantee - that they wouldn't.

Don't think for a minute - that they are merely being magnanimous.

So - do you really expect a BMW dealer in the Scottish central belt to drop their prices - just because a dealer in the south of England is?

Al

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

Sounds like Cannons are struggling.

If they didn't have to drop their prices, you can guarantee - that they wouldn't.

Don't think for a minute - that they are merely being magnanimous.

So - do you really expect a BMW dealer in the Scottish central belt to drop their prices - just because a dealer in the south of England is?

Al

I think you are making the same point I was trying to get to. There is enough competition in the south of Englandshire to make dealers fight for business because as you say they would not drop prices if they did not have to. The Scottish Central belt dealers obviously don't feel that same competition pressure and can take our continued custom for granted.

 

[Blackal]

No - I'm not.

I'm suggesting that bike-owners are tightening their belts. Car maintenance at dealers also drops as soon as disposable income takes a dive.

I think there is a general downturn in service trade in some areas - forcing some dealers to either reduce rates, or face lay-offs or shorter hours for mechanics.

If the dealers in the North of England and Scotland don't find themselves in that situation - why would they discount?

Their business rates haven't reduced, their payrates to staff haven't reduced - but you expect them to take a reduction in earnings?

If your employer wasn't suffering in the general downturn that the country (in general) is in - would you say it was justified for them to enforce a paycut/shorter hours on you - just because of a "recession" ?


If you're still not convinced - start taking your bike to the nearest dealer who offers better value in your eyes - You do have a choice.


Al

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

No - I'm not.

I'm suggesting that bike-owners are tightening their belts. Car maintenance at dealers also drops as soon as disposable income takes a dive.

I think there is a general downturn in service trade in some areas - forcing some dealers to either reduce rates, or face lay-offs or shorter hours for mechanics.

If the dealers in the North of England and Scotland don't find themselves in that situation - why would they discount?

Their business rates haven't reduced, their payrates to staff haven't reduced - but you expect them to take a reduction in earnings?

If your employer wasn't suffering in the general downturn that the country (in general) is in - would you say it was justified for them to enforce a paycut/shorter hours on you - just because of a "recession" ?


If you're still not convinced - start taking your bike to the nearest dealer who offers better value in your eyes - You do have a choice.


Al

I agree with you. The choice will be easier when the bike is out of warranty but until then my choice is limited if I want to make sure I have had all the recalls, fixes etc. I am not criticising the existing dealers for maximising their income as much as market forces will allow. I am bemoaning the lack of competition in Scotland which influences those market forces.

 

[roddy]

I agree with you. The choice will be easier when the bike is out of warranty but until then my choice is limited if I want to make sure I have had all the recalls, fixes etc.

As long as you take it to a BMW dealers for servicing then the warrenty will be valid ?
Even then there is European rules that states along the lines of if an idependant workshop use's all the correct parts and works to the factory schedule then your warrenty will also be valid

I am bemoaning the lack of competition in Scotland which influences those market forces.

Not too sure what your looking for here, we're only a wee nation 5 million people (ish) if 1% take up biking that 50,000 between at least 7 manufacturers (BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM, H-D)

all looking to cash in on the same opportunitys, theres just not enough customers in Scotland to justify the competition your looking for ?

if you want cheaper prices take your bike down south, but then factor in cost of fuel/food possible overnight stop and the saving doesn't become that good, if any.

 

[rockchunk]

was at motorad bishopbrigs yesterday nay complaints though there wis some right fuds hanging aboot the place

any tossers at motorad bishopbrigs yesterday

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

theres just not enough customers in Scotland to justify the competition your looking for ?

I suppose you are right three dealers for Central Scotland is probably about all we can justify.

 

[Blackal]

I suppose you are right three dealers for Central Scotland is probably about all we can justify.

So - if you started a campaign to boycot one of them -

Then they'd be forced to reduce prices on servicing
Then the others might follow suit
Then the first on reduces more - to the stage where they are making nothing on servicing, and the other two are making a bit..................

Then the first one closes

How exactly do you see the competition as having suddenly got better?


Your first post read like "There's a recession - everyone I do business with should accept less profit"
Mmmmmmmm......................

Al

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

So - if you started a campaign to boycot one of them -

Then they'd be forced to reduce prices on servicing
Then the others might follow suit
Then the first on reduces more - to the stage where they are making nothing on servicing, and the other two are making a bit..................

Then the first one closes

How exactly do you see the competition as having suddenly got better?


Your first post read like "There's a recession - everyone I do business with should accept less profit"
Mmmmmmmm......................

Al

Where, in anything I have posted, were you able to find the suggestion of a campaign to boycot any dealer? Haggle maybe. Phone about for another quote maybe but that is a million miles from a boycot.

Up to now I am delighted with the quality of work and service I have had from dealerships I have used but there is no doubt I have been lazy and reticent about pushing for the best deal and just accepted the price quoted without checking out alternatives. I was merely questioning whether others did the same and was it time to be a bit less lazy/reticent.

So the quote should read "There's a recession - everybody I do business with should expect me to be trying to make sure I am getting the absolute best deal I can"

 

[skyenet]

So the quote should read "There's a recession - everybody I do business with should expect me to be trying to make sure I am getting the absolute best deal I can"

Regardless of recession I always try to make sure I get the absolute best deal I can. Well, I am an Aberdonian after all

However if the dealer comes and goes with me over price then I have usually accepted their offer, even though it might not be the absolute best deal I could have managed if i had gone elsewhere. I would rather pay a bit extra and have local dealers. I have had 3 local BMW dealers go bust during my BMW ownership.

In the last week alone I have saved over £80 with AA breakdown, 50% switching home insurer, and another £30 with Scottish Gas boiler insurance. With all of them I did not accept their renewal quote and before going on the phone to haggle, I got competitor's rates. My old inusrer could not match what I could get so I swapped insurer but the AA and Scottish gas both dropped their premiums to what I though was a reasonable level.

 

[Klanky]

Cheer up fowks, things ain't that bad.

Us poor buggers on the edge of the planet have to do a 250 mile round trip just to sort various recalls* and get BM dealer services. On the Islands it's even further/more expensive.

Mind you, it is a good run down to Inversnecky.





*Like when you take your bike down for the 8k service and minor recalls - only to have Calterdon say (when you wander back to pick the bike up) "Uh, the fuel sender recall bit hasn't turned up - could you bring it back next week?"

 

[Blackal]

Where, in anything I have posted, were you able to find the suggestion of a campaign to boycot any dealer? Haggle maybe. Phone about for another quote maybe but that is a million miles from a boycot.

Up to now I am delighted with the quality of work and service I have had from dealerships I have used but there is no doubt I have been lazy and reticent about pushing for the best deal and just accepted the price quoted without checking out alternatives. I was merely questioning whether others did the same and was it time to be a bit less lazy/reticent.

So the quote should read "There's a recession - everybody I do business with should expect me to be trying to make sure I am getting the absolute best deal I can"

I wasn't suggesting that was your plan - but if one is determined to drive down prices then an organised boycot would be the way to do it.

Yeah - by all means haggle, but your original post appeared to suggest that you expected a similar offer as that of Cannons - without individual haggling, but by the existance of a competing dealer.

Sure - some dealers can charge like wounded buffalo, but I'm not convinced that the bike dealers in Scotland fall into that category - I think that's the preserve of the Car dealers.

Al

 

[pedro]

Well,

I just pay the man and smile. You get what you pay for and I've always been happy with the service at Dalkeith.

 

[Deleted acc oony]

Are 5 shops not enough albeit only 3 parent companies
Aberdeen Inverness Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow

Price around then work out traveling costs against the price, all dealers servicing should be to a standard.

If you don't ask you don't get

 

[garfield]

I just pay the man and smile. You get what you pay for and I've always been happy with the service at Dalkeith.

I normally smile expect that service when I paid nearly £600.....